Frank James Tuttle

This interview with Frank James Tuttle, who goes by Jim, was conducted at the Hudson Area Library’s History Room in Hudson, NY. Jim grew up in New York City but spent the summers at the family’s upstate farmhouse in Kinderhook. He reflected on the changed landscape that was mostly open fields that are now filled with trees as well as the roads that were dirt that are now all paved. With these changes came different phases of technology ranging from modes of transportation to power and agriculture. As he describes the different shifts and trends, he also shared some experiences about life at the farmhouse where biking on a freshly oiled road was messy for your clothes and riding horses to friends houses because gas was rationed and walking was too far. He also talked about how ice would only get delivered as far as to the neighbors house and that they would load up the ice block on the back of the car’s trunk rack where it was his job to keep an eye out the back window to make sure they got the ice home safely. Jim shared about how the Columbia County Fair has changed from the main event being horse races to demo derbies as well as a story about being a teenager at the fair involved with 4H and caring for horses brought opportunities for mischief. He talks about how curiosity has brought him to learn about the history of Columbia County and has been involved with the library which he sees as the best place for continuing education for adults. He serves as the treasurer for the Kinderhook Library where his sister was the librarian for many years.

‍